Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines Chairman Joey Concepcion together with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2017 held last November 2017.

India Embassy to the Philippines congratulates Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines Chairman Jose Ma. “Joey” A. Concepcion III for being conferred with Padma Shri award in the recent ASEAN-India Special Commemorative Summit held last January 26, 2018.

Concepcion was in New Delhi, India as part of the official delegation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit which aims to strengthen partnership and foster business ties with India.

The Indian Government decided to confer the Padma Shri award to 73 individuals including one awardee from each ASEAN country. Concepcion did not expect that he will be one of the recipients of the Padma Shri award which is the fourth highest civilian award given by the government of India annually during India’s Republic Day.

India Ambassador to the Philippines Jaideep Mazumdar recognized Concepcion as a key advocate of entrepreneurship in the Philippines. “Joey has been promoting entrepreneurship for many years and when he was the chairman of ASEAN Business Advisory Council, he made it a point to raise the concerns of the micro and small entrepreneurs region-wide and highlight the development programs we need to craft in order to help them scale up.”

In a statement, Concepcion said, “I was not expecting the award as I am attending the engagement as part of the President’s official delegation in India. But it is a great honor to receive this distinguished award.” Concepcion also expressed his gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and members of the Indian government.

Concepcion personally met Prime Minister Modi when he graced the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit organized by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council last November 2017. Concepcion was the chairman of the council back then.